Steam causing spots?

[Bugbear]

I thought that would be the best method. I'd imagine a very mild soap of some kind also.

Yes, but someone else should go into the details; i'm not very good at explaining things.
Good luck.

[Dale Seago]

Yes, but someone else should go into the details; i'm not very good at explaining things.
Good luck.

While this article deals with hand-washing wool sweaters rather than kilts, the concepts and concerns involved are the same:

http://www.fuzzygalore.biz/articles/wash_sweater.shtml

[mookien]

While this article deals with hand-washing wool sweaters rather than kilts, the concepts and concerns involved are the same:

Dale: I assume the process described applies to Scottish hose, too. Is that correct?

John

[Dale Seago]

Dale: I assume the process described applies to Scottish hose, too. Is that correct?

John

If they're all-wool and untreated, yes. There ARE treated wools and wool/synthetic blends which are okay to machine-wash on at least a delicate or gentle cycle -- Lewis hose, for instance.

[mookien]

If they're all-wool and untreated, yes. There ARE treated wools and wool/synthetic blends which are okay to machine-wash on at least a delicate or gentle cycle -- Lewis hose, for instance.

I always hand-wash my kilt hose and country socks (both kind from House of Cheviot - various styles), but usually after several wearings first. I use a wee bit of woolite and cold water, then lay flat to dry. Simple, easy, and effective.

Cheers,

Dale and Kyle: Thank you.

Since most, if not all, of my hose are wool/poly blends, I have been laundering them as Kyle described, ... and as my wife directed. Looks like she knew of what she spoke.

John

[creagdhubh]

Dale: I assume the process described applies to Scottish hose, too. Is that correct?

John

I always hand-wash my kilt hose and country socks (both kind are from House of Cheviot - various styles), but usually after several wearings first. I use a wee bit of woolite and cold water, then lay flat to dry. Simple, easy, and effective.

Cheers,

[Deirachel]

I always hand-wash my kilt hose and country socks (both kind are from House of Cheviot - various styles), but usually after several wearings first. I use a wee bit of woolite and cold water, then lay flat to dry. Simple, easy, and effective.

Cheers,

Woolite is BAD for wool. It is NOT formulated for natural fibers any more. It's specifically designed for synthetics.

Sources:

http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/yarn/1306453 (needs a free log in, but is one of the best fiber arts sites on the web at all for anyone interested in the fiber arts)

http://organicclothing.blogs.com/my_..._for_orga.html

http://community.discovery.com/eve/f...6/m/6191971699

http://www.fuzzygalore.biz/articles/wash_sweater.shtml

My wife the spinner/knitter....



The best commercial products to use for washing wool:

SOAK http://www.soakwash.com/

Eucalan http://www.eucalan.com/

Good quality shampoo http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=sr_tc_2_...qid=1327736533 (Yes, as in the stuff you rub into your hair.....Tresemme, Nutragenia, etc.. Not Baby Shampoo. Moisturizing is ok, and some fiber artists even recommending using a very small amount of conditioner in the final rinse.)

[Paul Henry]

Woolite is BAD for wool. It is NOT formulated for natural fibers any more. It's specifically designed for synthetics.

Sources:

http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/yarn/1306453 (needs a free log in, but is one of the best fiber arts sites on the web at all for anyone interested in the fiber arts)

http://organicclothing.blogs.com/my_..._for_orga.html

http://community.discovery.com/eve/f...6/m/6191971699

http://www.fuzzygalore.biz/articles/wash_sweater.shtml

My wife the spinner/knitter....



The best commercial products to use for washing wool:

SOAK http://www.soakwash.com/

Eucalan http://www.eucalan.com/

Good quality shampoo http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=sr_tc_2_...qid=1327736533 (Yes, as in the stuff you rub into your hair.....Tresemme, Nutragenia, etc.. Not Baby Shampoo. Moisturizing is ok, and some fiber artists even recommending using a very small amount of conditioner in the final rinse.)

This is a constant ( and often hot) discussion on fibre boards, and actually the jury is out on whether Woolite is good or bad, the main thing to remember is to use as little as possible of any sort of washing product, and to rinse well.
Woolite is still favoured by as many would not touch it with a barge pole. If you read the article on ravelry nowhere does it say that it is bad, but that there are other producs as well, infact many on ravelry support it's use!I've used many different products, including baby shampoo for washing wool,and have had good reults each time, and to be honest Woolite isn't really so bad, and it was designed for wool,not for synthetics.

It's a case of where some people have favorites , and of some who are loyal to brands, ultimately choose something that works for you.

[creagdhubh]

This is a constant ( and often hot) discussion on fibre boards, and actually the jury is out on whether Woolite is good or bad, the main thing to remember is to use as little as possible of any sort of washing product, and to rinse well.
Woolite is still favoured by as many would not touch it with a barge pole. If you read the article on ravelry nowhere does it say that it is bad, but that there are other producs as well, infact many on ravelry support it's use!I've used many different products, including baby shampoo for washing wool,and have had good reults each time, and to be honest Woolite isn't really so bad, and it was designed for wool,not for synthetics.

It's a case of where some people have favorites , and of some who are loyal to brands, ultimately choose something that works for you.

I agree with you, Paul. I never use a lot of Woolite at any given time, only a wee bit. I have been washing my kilt hose and country socks with Woolite, by hand (no machine - ever!) with cold water, and have yet to have ANY sort of problems. It doesn't make much sense to think that Woolite was specifically designed for synthetic fabrics, really? Come on now!

I take my time washing, and since my kilt hose and country socks never really get filthy-dirty, I rub and rinse them very gently. If I ever happen to get any build up of material, or 'fuzz-balls' on the hose or socks, especially in the heel area, I will gently use a fabric shaver to collect the unwanted and unsightly 'balls.' Works well - EVERY time.

Cheers,